Workers are currently hanging lights for the Big, Bright Lights Show in downtown Rochester, but the annual event was scaled back this year by the Downtown Development Authority due to budget cuts, said Kristi Trevarrow, the authority’s executive director.

The typical budget for the light show is $250,000, Trevarrow said. This year, it was scaled back to $200,000.

“It’s a big cutback,” she said.

On top of that, bids for the event’s construction contract came in higher than expected.

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So, the authority turned to the public for assistance.

Last week, a crowd-sourcing campaign was launched on Kickstarter — a web-based platform used to raise money for an idea, product or cause — to broaden the show’s scope.

The 16-day funding drive is looking to raise $27,000 to restore lights that would’ve blanketed businesses along Fourth Street. Trevarrow said the contractor, Shelby Township-based Dan’s Excavating, was willing to negotiate the cost for that section of the show.

“We thought Fourth Street would be a great place to focus our efforts,” she said. The particular area serves as the location for the lighting ceremony on Lagniappe and the Kris Kringle Market.

Local businesses and restaurants have donated gift certificates and items from their stores as rewards for campaign pledges, Trevarrow said.

Pledge levels range from $4 to $500. Possible rewards for donating include a vast amount of options: $10 gift cards to local restaurants, a one-night stay at the Royal Park Hotel and free cannolis from Holy Cannoli.

As of Wednesday afternoon, the campaign has currently received support from 47 backers for $2,845. The drive will end at noon Friday, Nov. 1.

The authority would only receive funds if the full $27,000 is pledged.

“For us, the lights are not just lights, it’s economic development,” Trevarrow said. “That’s why we’re trying to do what we can to restore any funding that we can, to get as many lights on buildings as we can.”

The light show begins Monday, Dec. 2 at 7 p.m. and runs through Saturday, Jan. 4, 2014. The display will be lit daily from 5 p.m. to midnight.

Officials said the show annually draws more than one million people to downtown Rochester.

About the Author

Ryan Felton is a staff writer at The Oakland Press who covers Rochester, Rochester Hills, Oakland Township, transportation and technology. Blogging about Detroit at detroit.jalopnik.com. Reach the author at ryan.felton@oakpress.com
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